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# Forgive us our trespasses

If you have seen or happen to download, the 1967 movie “The Graduate”, considered a path-breaking movie even today, which made the debutant Dustin Hoffman, a much-decorated star of our times, you’ll see it happens, and gives little time even for a reflex! The story is about a shy graduate being first gently, then blatantly being seduced by the wife of his father’s partner, Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft). There are many aspects to the plot, but “Mrs Robinson” is a patent critic’s word, that would be close to today’s “cougar”.

I am still for #MeToo, but there is a backdrop that may not be set aside. DH Lawrence, much criticised by the moralists, shocked the world of literature with his “Sons and lovers”, essentially an affair of a mother willingly trapping her son into an affair. For niceties of story closure, the “graduate”, as well the “son” finally settle with their girl-friends.

A recent production, much watched and discussed (though I would not rate it too high), “Fifty Shades of Grey”, certainly has a socially prevalent background, that made it so popular, in gossip circles!

I may still have to add from mythology, The, “Oedipus Complex”, though it occurred in circumstances of ignorance. The five Pandavas getting a go-ahead from their mother Kunti, for marriage to a single Draupadi is hardly taken up for discussions for its appropriateness, or the inverse of appropriateness.

Kunti, herself had a pre-marital affair, and more is talked of the generous and skilled Karna, that the circumstances of his birth.

The present tide of #MeToo, first cropped up in the “casting couch” anecdotes that rose in the Indian media a few years ago. The slim couch that creaked during the action, has now been replaced with a wooden double bed. Its easier to change the bed than protocol forced by habit!

Some sparks from Hollywood. The mega-producer Weinstein’s imbroglio. It was an endless burst from stars and starlets. Decorated directors as Tarantino close friends to Mr Weinstein, sagaciously did not to add a word.

Recently, the Weinstein case got weaker on information that one of the prosecutors asked a part of the recording to be deleted.

One the whole, it has to be accepted that history has, and today’s times continue to be unfair to women. They were ostracised, executed (princess Ann Boleyn, Henry the VIII), the practice of Sati, still lack acceptance in certain quarters on widow remarriage.

Though today’s #MeToo, maybe considered opportunistic at the fringes by quite a few, the core of the story is true.

With a new economy setting in, the young girl/women workforce amounting to around 30%, fathers, brothers and husbands know from their own behaviour in their workplaces, that the boss they report to is there primarily for his concurrence to carry out company policies, and not his behaviour towards women.

The unrevealed question therefore remains is, young recruits or even a regular employee confront some unacceptable pressures from the boss, either unpredictable but dicey favours as an overnight official trip, or a late-night dinner, or downright abusive attitude to block the employee’s future and talent!

The present campaign that is going mostly through media, shall certainly put rules and conditions in place, to prevent them from harassment. The ministry of social- justice and women welfare, can take up such matters, sort them on the dot, go for future understanding and comradery, for finally, the issue is to get back to work in a fearless environment. Some rules of organizational behaviour and human management may have to be put in place.

Companies do twice the business if the CEO knows that encouragement for freedom or innovation, rather than the strict 9-5 rule. A gentle encouraging clap is more rewarding than an attitudinal slap!

Sometimes, (though that should not be), a female aspirant in cut-throat competition, pays for the chores attached to clutching on to premature ambition.

A man becomes a millionaire not without breaking a few rules. Some of the brunt or side jobs are for the chosen, or overtly ambitious accomplices to do.

Peer and parental counselling shall help. In India, you don’t get much by lodging a complaint about getting your tyre stuck on a pot-holed road. You blame the driver for not being alert enough. The approach should change though!

Agreeing with the much- needed present tirade for women who never said a word when exploited, and those the present circumstances still expose them to, the movement is appreciated.

The methods to deal with should be prompt. The first is to put the discipline and approach to a working woman in the place. Ample rules are available in the west.

The second, make multi-area wise, employee strength wise, or infringement wise committees with a retired judge, a representative of the company, a counsellor, and work for a quick patch-up. Some matters could be frivolous, but rather hurting. This we owe to our daughters, sisters and mothers. However, the purpose is to move society into the next gear of productivity through just and professional interaction!

I believe the economic burden/share falling on the common citizen, shall work both ways. The positive side is that people shall be more focused in their profession. The flip side is broken relationships, job changes, addictions, parental neglect that would be on the rise.

The centuries-old Indian culture, more recently defined by the Father of The Nation, would carry us through the material churning, leaning on the non-material fulcrum!

Author

Anoop Kohli is a senior consultant neurologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. His interests go far beyond his chosen profession. For him, it's just one game of life so interesting to study for all its themes and aberrations. He also dabbles in script-writing and recently got a membership of the Bombay Film Writers' Association. In this blog, Masquerader, expect from him anything from H1N1 to Heena.

Author

Anoop Kohli is a senior consultant neurologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. His interests go far beyond his chosen profession. For him, it's just one game of life so interesting to study for all its themes and aberrations. He also dabbles in script-writing and recently got a membership of the Bombay Film Writers' Association. In this blog, Masquerader, expect from him anything from H1N1 to Heena.